Roku adds Google Play Movies & TV to channel store

Roku owners can now rent and buy TV shows and movies from Google Play before the DVDs start hitting shelves.

The Google Play Movies & TV app is now available to download from the Roku Channel Store and comes with access to titles like 22 Jump Street, Into the Storm and Let’s Be Cops.

Both Roku 3 and Roku Streaming Stick owners in the UK can access the new service which prices most films at £3.49 to rent and £9.99 to buy.

Playtime is over: Roku customers can now buy and rent movies and TV from Google

TV episodes are typically priced at £1.89 per show or around £5.99 for a whole season, though prices vary depending on the number of episodes per series.

Roku’s director of content acquisition Ziba Kaboli-Gerbrands said: “From the hottest new releases to iconic classics, there’s a world of movies at your fingertips with Google Play Movies & TV.

“If you’re a TV lover, you can catch up on last night’s episode or past seasons of can’t miss TV, laugh out loud comedies, nail biting dramas, notable documentaries and more, when it’s most convenient for you.”

With Google Play Movies & TV you can pay for content on your desktop or through your Android phone and watch on your TV through your Roku player. You sign in with your Google Account, just like you would when setting up a new Android phone, and you’ll be able to access all of your content through your Roku player.

The channel allows you to search for new content by title or genre or simply browse through lists of new releases if you need a little more inspiration.

In a similar fashion to the IMDb-powered X-Ray feature of Prime Instant Video, Google’s Play Info cards also let you eliminate annoying ‘isn’t that the girl from…’ actor identification issues too. This feature is activated by simply pausing what you’re watching – Google Play should identify the actor’s name.

Another reason to use Google Play Movies & TV is free content. Every week, Google will give away a freebie, starting with a complimentary HD copy of the original X-Men movie.

The Fire TV set top box is a more powerful piece of hardware than the Roku 3. It boasts impressive gaming credentials and naturally comes with access to Prime Instant Video, which is not currently available from the Roku Channel Store – although the pay per view Amazon Instant Video service is.